Member of Pussy Riot Hospitalized

Nadezhda Tolokonnikova of the Russian punk feminist band Pussy Riot was transferred to a hospital at the end of January for severe headaches.

Tolokonnikova told her lawyer that she has been suffering headaches and fatigue since her prison sentence began in October 2012. Her lawyer, Irina Khrunova, issued an appeal to the prison's director requesting a full medical check-up. Khrunova is concerned that the headaches may signify a health problem. On January 24, Tolokinnikova was transferred to a hospital.

Tolokonnikova is one of three women who were arrested after making an anti-Putin demonstration at Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral in August 2012. The members of Pussy Riot entered the church wearing bright colors and balaclavas, singing "Mother of God, Blessed Virgin, drive out Putin!" They noted later that their intent was to challenge the Church's political support for Putin and to show their dissatisfaction with Putin's 12-year political dominance. In October, a Moscow City Court freed Pussy Riot punk band member Yekaterina Samutsevich on appeal. The two remaining imprisoned band members, Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, are still required to serve their two-year sentences for "hooliganism."

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